NEWS Council predicts healthy surplus By DANIEL BIRCHFIELD daniel.birchfield@waitakiherald.co.nz for the 2013-14 financial year, after it had originally budgeted for a $290,000 loss. The surplus of more than $2 A million has come about through increased income and reduced costs. A reported prepared by coun- cil chief financial officer Paul Hope which was presented at last week’s finance, risk and audit committee meeting shows a projected surplus of $2.046 million, a turnaround of $2.336m when the budgeted loss of $290,000 was taken into account. A total of $1.014m in ‘‘tagged’’ variances have been removed, with the council-only variance being $1.322m. Tagged items include user charges, development and RMA contributions, Government grants and subsidies, other grants and donations and gains or losses classified as ‘‘other’’. Making up the tagged items are $390,000 in additional funding from the New Zealand Transport Agency for capital works, a $250,000 bequest, $392,000 in Alps 2 Ocean Positive result: Waitaki District Council chief executive Michael Ross says a projected surplus of more than $2 million could bring significant benefits to the Waitaki district. funding and an additional $422,000 in user charges. Council’s total income for the year came in at $45.142m against a budget of $43.846m, while operating expenditure was $43.096m compared to the budgeted $44.136m. Rates collection was $28.350m, $79,000 more than the budgeted $28.271m. Council’s largest areas of income came from Government grants and subsidies ($7.214m) and user charges ($5.279m) for services such as roading, sewage significant surplus is being forecast by the Waitaki District Council and water. A far as expenditure is concerned contracts ($13.978m), depreciation and amortisation ($12.080m) and personnel costs ($9.355m) made up the bulk of expenses. Waitaki District Council chief executive Michael Ross believes the surplus highlights the fact Waitaki is enjoying positive economic progress. ‘‘The district is enjoying an increase in economic prosperity,’’ Ross says. ‘‘Having a surplus leading into our next long term plan process is a good place to be.’’ Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher also expressed his pleasure at the result. ‘‘The surplus will enable coun- cil to consider how it wishes to fund some projects and whether or not rates can be held or reduced in some areas next year,’’ Kircher says. ‘‘We can also look at future projects that will help further drive economic growth. ‘‘Council is committed to growing strong communities and our ability to deliver a surplus bodes well for a strong economic future.’’ Once the final, audited set of financial records are available towards the end of the year, the council will then have the ability to plan how any financial surpluses can be used. Few cases of influenza this winter By NICOLA WOLFE Dunedin has had people hospitalised with influenza, but so far Oamaru has escaped lightly. Oamaru Public Hospital gen- eral manager Robert Gonzales says influenza has been of ‘‘no great concern’’ so far this winter season. Only a couple of cases of influenza-related illnesses have been reported at the hospital. However, because of the nature of the virus and how it mutates the illness is hard to track, Southern District Health Board medical officer of health Marion Poore says. ‘‘Seasonal influenza is not notifiable so we don’t collect local data. However there are seven practices in Southern DHB that participate in the sen- tinel influenza surveillance programme between April and September which helps us track influenza like illness locally.’’ But that programme doesn’t operate in Oamaru. A number of people with the illness had been admitted to Dunedin Hospital this year, she says. ‘‘There is no great concern in Oamaru. But come to us if it gets complicated,’’ Gonzales says. Seasonal influenza is a virus that is spread through respiratory droplets and can survive on bench tops and furniture. The most common symptoms are fever, cough, sore throat and muscle aches. It can leave patients feeling ill for 10 days. Poore says the virus is ‘‘highly infectious’’ and the very young, elderly and those with chronic illness are most vulnerable. ‘‘There is no specific treat- ment as this is a virus, so symptomatic treatment with bed rest, fluids and anti-fever medication is best. Most people recover without needing medical attention,’’ Poore says. Pregnant women and Maori and Pacific people are also more at risk of serious illness. There are a number ways to prevent the risk of illness spreading, Poore says, including covering your cough, disposing of tissues carefully, frequent hand washing and careful drying and staying home if sick. Immunisation is the best form of protection, she says. ‘‘See your family doctor for immunisation which is available till July 31.’’ SAVE BIG MONEY ON TOP BRANDS S Council predicts healthy surplus By DANIEL BIRCHFI uncil predicts healthy surplus By DANIEL BIRCHFIELD daniel.birchfield@waitaki- herald.co.nz for the 2013-14 financial year, after it had originally budgeted for a $290,000 loss. The surplus of more than $2 A million has come about through increased income and reduced costs. A reported prepared by coun- cil chief financial officer Paul Hope which was presented at last week’s finance, risk and audit committee meeting shows a projected surplus of $2.046 million, a turnaround of $2.336m when the budgeted loss of $290,000 was taken into account. A total of $1.014m in ‘‘tagged’’ variances have been removed, with the council-only variance being $1.322m. Tagged items include user charges, development and RMA contributions, Government grants and subsidies, other grants and donations and gains or losses classified as ‘‘other’’. Making up the tagged items are $390,000 in additional funding from the New Zealand Transport Agency for capital works, a $250,000 bequest, $392,000 in Alps 2 Ocean Positive result: Waitaki District Council chief executive Michael Ross says a projected surplus of more than $2 million could bring significant benefits to the Waitaki district. funding and an additional $422,000 in user charges. Council’s total income for the year came in at $45.142m against a budget of $43.846m, while operating expenditure was $43.096m compared to the budgeted $44.136m. Rates collection was $28.350m, $79,000 more than the budgeted $28.271m. Council’s largest areas of income came from Government grants and subsidies ($7.214m) and user charges ($5.279m) for services such as roading, sewage significant surplus is being forecast by the Waitaki District Council and water. A far as expenditure is concerned contracts ($13.978m), depreciation and amortisation ($12.080m) and personnel costs ($9.355m) made up the bulk of expenses. Waitaki District Council chief executive Michael Ross believes the surplus highlights the fact Waitaki is enjoying positive economic progress. ‘‘The district is enjoying an increase in economic pros- perity,’’ Ross says. ‘‘Having a surplus leading into our next long term plan pro- cess is a good place to be.’’ Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher also expressed his pleasure at the result. ‘‘The surplus will enable coun- cil to consider how it wishes to fund some projects and whether or not rates can be held or reduced in some areas next year,’’ Kircher says. ‘‘We can also look at future projects that will help further drive economic growth. ‘‘Council is committed to growing strong communities and our ability to deliver a sur- plus bodes well for a strong economic future.’’ Once the final, audited set of financial records are available towards the end of the year, the council will then have the ability to plan how any financial surpluses can be used. Few cases of influenza this winter By NICOLA WOLFE Dunedin has had people hospitalised with influenza, but so far Oamaru has escaped lightly. Oamaru Public Hospital gen- eral manager Robert Gonzales says influenza has been of ‘‘no great concern’’ so far this winter season. Only a couple of cases of influenza-related illnesses have been reported at the hospital. However, because of the nature of the virus and how it mutates the illness is hard to track, Southern District Health Board medical officer of health Marion Poore says. ‘‘Seasonal influenza is not notifiable so we don’t collect local data. However there are seven practices in Southern DHB that participate in the sen- tinel influenza surveillance pro- gramme between April and September which helps us track influenza like illness locally.’’ But that programme doesn’t operate in Oamaru. A number of people with the illness had been admitted to Dunedin Hospital this year, she says. ‘‘There is no great concern in Oamaru. But come to us if it gets complicated,’’ Gonzales says. Seasonal influenza is a virus that is spread through respirat- ory droplets and can survive on bench tops and furniture. The most common symptoms are fever, cough, sore throat and muscle aches. It can leave patients feeling ill for 10 days. Poore says the virus is ‘‘highly infectious’’ and the very young, elderly and those with chronic illness are most vulnerable. ‘‘There is no specific treat- ment as this is a virus, so symp- tomatic treatment with bed rest, fluids and anti-fever medication is best. Most people recover without needing medical atten- tion,’’ Poore says. Pregnant women and Maori and Pacific people are also more at risk of serious illness. There are a number ways to prevent the risk of illness spreading, Poore says, including covering your cough, disposing of tissues carefully, frequent hand washing and careful dry- ing and staying home if sick. Immunisation is the best form of protection, she says. ‘‘See your family doctor for immunisation which is available till July 31.’’ SAVE BIG MONEY ON TOP BRANDS Wiinter Wiinter F otwear nter Footwear Men’s Men’s Hundreds of pairs of Men’s sport and casual boots Council predicts healthy surplus By DANIEL BIRCHFIELD daniel.birchfield@waitaki- herald.co.nz for the 2013-14 financial year, after it had originally budgeted for a $290,000 loss. The surplus of more than $2 A million has come about through increased income and reduced costs. A reported prepared by coun- cil chief financial officer Paul Hope which was presented at last week’s finance, risk and audit committee meeting shows a projected surplus of $2.046 million, a turnaround of $2.336m when the budgeted loss of $290,000 was taken into account. A total of $1.014m in ‘‘tagged’’ variances have been removed, with the council-only variance being $1.322m. Tagged items include user charges, development and RMA contributions, Government grants and subsidies, other grants and donations and gains or losses classified as ‘‘other’’. Making up the tagged items are $390,000 in additional funding from the New Zealand Transport Agency for capital works, a $250,000 bequest, $392,000 in Alps 2 Ocean Positive result: Waitaki District Council chief executive Michael Ross says a projected surplus of more than $2 million could bring significant benefits to the Waitaki district. funding and an additional $422,000 in user charges. Council’s total income for the year came in at $45.142m against a budget of $43.846m, while operating expenditure was $43.096m compared to the budgeted $44.136m. Rates collection was $28.350m, $79,000 more than the budgeted $28.271m. Council’s largest areas of income came from Government grants and subsidies ($7.214m) and user charges ($5.279m) for services such as roading, sewage significant surplus is being forecast by the Waitaki District Council and water. A far as expenditure is concerned contracts ($13.978m), depreciation and amortisation ($12.080m) and personnel costs ($9.355m) made up the bulk of expenses. Waitaki District Council chief executive Michael Ross believes the surplus highlights the fact Waitaki is enjoying positive economic progress. ‘‘The district is enjoying an increase in economic pros- perity,’’ Ross says. ‘‘Having a surplus leading into our next long term plan pro- cess is a good place to be.’’ Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher also expressed his pleasure at the result. ‘‘The surplus will enable coun- cil to consider how it wishes to fund some projects and whether or not rates can be held or reduced in some areas next year,’’ Kircher says. ‘‘We can also look at future projects that will help further drive economic growth. ‘‘Council is committed to growing strong communities and our ability to deliver a sur- plus bodes well for a strong economic future.’’ Once the final, audited set of financial records are available towards the end of the year, the council will then have the ability to plan how any financial surpluses can be used. Few cases of influenza this winter By NICOLA WOLFE Dunedin has had people hospitalised with influenza, but so far Oamaru has escaped lightly. Oamaru Public Hospital gen- eral manager Robert Gonzales says influenza has been of ‘‘no great concern’’ so far this winter season. Only a couple of cases of influenza-related illnesses have been reported at the hospital. However, because of the nature of the virus and how it mutates the illness is hard to track, Southern District Health Board medical officer of health Marion Poore says. ‘‘Seasonal influenza is not notifiable so we don’t collect local data. However there are seven practices in Southern DHB that participate in the sen- tinel influenza surveillance pro- gramme between April and September which helps us track influenza like illness locally.’’ But that programme doesn’t operate in Oamaru. A number of people with the illness had been admitted to Dunedin Hospital this year, she says. ‘‘There is no great concern in Oamaru. But come to us if it gets complicated,’’ Gonzales says. Seasonal influenza is a virus that is spread through respirat- ory droplets and can survive on bench tops and furniture. The most common symptoms are fever, cough, sore throat and muscle aches. It can leave patients feeling ill for 10 days. Poore says the virus is ‘‘highly infectious’’ and the very young, elderly and those with chronic illness are most vulnerable. ‘‘There is no specific treat- ment as this is a virus, so symp- tomatic treatment with bed rest, fluids and anti-fever medication is best. Most people recover without needing medical atten- tion,’’ Poore says. Pregnant women and Maori and Pacific people are also more at risk of serious illness. There are a number ways to prevent the risk of illness spreading, Poore says, including covering your cough, disposing of tissues carefully, frequent hand washing and careful dry- ing and staying home if sick. Immunisation is the best form of protection, she says. ‘‘See your family doctor for immunisation which is available till July 31.’’ SAVE BIG MONEY ON TOP BRANDS Wiinter F otwear nter Footwear Men’s Men’s Hundreds of pairs of Men’s sport and casual boots SALE SALE ALE Style: Asics Gel Scram 2 in black/red trail running /walking shoe in sizes 9.5 – 12 US US usually $135 Sale Price $95 WAITAKI HERALD, JULY 16, 2014 3 Did you work for us in the last 10 years? If you worked for New Zealand Post, ECL, Datam, Converga or Reach Media, we might owe you money. Visit nzpost.co.nz/rdpclaim to find out if you’re eligible and submit a claim immediately. If you don’t have internet access call 0800 149 199. 79-81 Thames Street, Oamaru www.mcdiarmids.co.nz Ph 03 434 8815 A sa A safe message f om Ne ty message from Network W ork Waitakiaki Limited 6164301AC The electricity company that Delivers power in North Otago See us on facebook Car V's Electricity Pole - You cannot do anything to assist the injured occupants UNTIL the power has been switched off. Call Network Waitaki immediately on 0800 440 220 to have the power disconnected PST_0454 6186213AA